By Hans-Georg Schmitt

All text by, and copyright of the Author. All photographs provided by the Manufacturer.

This article looks at the new models month by month in the first quarter of 2019 from Schuco and their subsidiary Solido. Both firms models are made in China for Europe and are mainly diecast. Both ranges have models in a variety of scales as shown below. The Schuco Pro ranges are made in resin.

421184460/S1801201 Alpine A310 Pack GT – white

Schuco

February 2/2019

PICCOLO

450570900 Charger “Happy Birthday 2019”

450607400 Set Piccolo Collector Catalogue 1994-2018 with Mustang

450133700 Mini “Mr. B.”

A thinly disguised attempt to model the ‘Mr. Bean’ Mini from the television series of the same name, starring Rowan Atkinson, whilst presumably avoiding paying royalties to the programme’s producers. It lacks many of the special features added to the TV car and appears to be based on the earlier version of the Mini than the one used on TV.

EDITION 1:43

This set shows once more that Schuco do not always pay attention to detals. The Beetle with oval rear window, launched in late 1953, has air intakes modelled, the so called rheumatism flaps, which were only used in the model year 1951/1952. The number “53” is intended to provoke reminiscences of the movie star Herbie.

By Hans-Georg Schmitt

All text by, and copyright of the Author. All photographs provided by the Manufacturer.

All the models shown below were due to be available in late December 2018 so should be available at suppliers now. Ranges entitled PRO.R are premium ranges made in resin with etchings. Most other ranges are diecast metal and plastic. Some Schuco models provide a nostalgic look back at the toys produced by Schuco in the past so include printed material in the period style as well as models. Schuco models are made in China for Germany.

PICCOLO

450513600 Piccolo Pop Art “The Game”

Here small scale Piccolo models are packed as place markers to be used with the supplied games board and dice. It is all painted and printed in bright ‘pop art’ colours.

EDITION PRO.R43

The photograph above shows the original ‘Continental Motors’ Volkswagen based transporter with a Porsche shield on the trailer. Above that we see the Schuco model which is impressive and unusual.

EDITION PRO.R32

450782800 Tractor Progress RS09-GT124

Here we find the Progress (Fortschriff) fitted with a flatbed. This tractor produced in the former DDR was unusual in allowing all sorts of fitments in front of the Driving cab. It was powered by a twin cylinder diesel mounted behind the driver and driving the rear wheels.

450782900 Tractor Progress RS09-GT124

Hree we have the same tractor unit with a different registration and fitted with a grass cutter fitted to the vestigial chassis forward of the cab.

EDITION 1:18

450034700 Setra S6 Coach

This 1:18 scale model of a smaller coach, often used for tourist trips, is incredibly detailed with superb panoramic windows and finely fitted opening components. Here it is finished in a blue and white livery

450037600 Volkswagen Transporter Typ 1b Samba bus

Here SChuco’s Samba is fitted with racks to carry skis and is called a “Wintersport” edition. Again there are many finely fitted opening parts. I might have expected snow chain or studded tyres though with German winter tyre laws.

450037700 Volkswagen Transporter Typ 1b bus

Here we have the lower specified Transporter bus fitted out with seating and fewer windows. The model is entitled ‘on the move with the family’ from the advertising strap line on the vehicle itself.

EDITION PRO.R18

450014800 FMR (Messerschmitt) TG 500 “Tiger”

Here we have the four wheeled version of the Messerschmidt with a 500cc engine replacing the normal 175cc to 200cc engine fitted to the three wheeler. Here it is finished in red.

450014900 FMR (Messerschmitt) TG 500 Roadster “Tiger”

Here we have the Tiger again, this time in white and with a convertible roof furled up open.

# 22771 – 22774

450006600 Mercedes-Benz Maybach Vision 6 cabriolet

Here we have a very expensive electric car from Mercedes-Benz in their premium Maybach range shown in blue the same colour it was premiered in in the US.

450006700 Mercedes-Benz Maybach Vision 6 Coupe

In red as shown at Pebble Beach the coupe is in red. Again this is an electric vehicle, but this time as a coupe with gull wing doors.

EDITION 1:87

452629400 Porsche 924S

Here is a tiny 924 finished in white which was a common colour when the 924 was in production.

By Hans-Georg Schmitt

Two releases of models took place in November 2018. Each is described separately below. Schuco-Dickie are a long established German Group which also produces Solido models following their acquisition by the Group. Models are diecast in China for Germany unless stated otherwise. The ranges shown vary in scale and in detail with the Pro ranges being the most detailed and most expensive.